The Sahara Desert known for its scorching heat was now swept by a refreshing breeze.
Snowflakes gently drifted through the air, mingled with shimring shards of shattered alloys and vibranium, creating a surreal and beautiful sight.
Tony Stark raised his tal-clad hand thoughtfully, catching a delicate snowflake on his palm.
What a miracle this was.
The snowflake lted instantly. As it touched the Iron Man suit, the fragile, ornate flake dissolved into a single drop of dew—an epheral reminder that all things must fade. Tony couldn't help but feel a mont of quiet reflection.
After a pause, he asked, "All done?"
"All hostile targets within range have been neutralized. No reinforcents detected from the chanical city either," replied Kagura with a calm smile. "Yup, everything's taken care of here, Mr. Stark."
"Whew..." Tony let out a long sigh. "That last strike of yours—now that was sothing else. Are we talking next-level black tech?"
"Of course!" Kagura bead proudly, a playful glint in her eye. "That's just the usual Kagura brand black technology!"
Tony chuckled, tapping her nose with a finger. "You're holding onto a treasure trove of gadgets that even I find impressive, and you're keeping it all to yourself. That's just not fair."
"Oh, it's nothing fancy," she said, whistling casually with her hands behind her back. "Give it ti, Mr. Stark—you'll catch up to eventually. I believe in you!"
Tony groaned with theatrical despair. "Hitomi, be honest with . I've spent my whole life saying that exact line to other people."
"Never thought I'd hear soone say it to . It hurts, you know?"
"Hehehe!" Kagura stuck her tongue out and made a silly face. "Alright then! Ti to pay a visit to Ultron's beloved 'chanical Empire!'"
———————————————————————
Sahara Desert – Periter of the ga chanical City
"Whoa—!" Kagura looked up at the towering city walls and let out a long breath of awe. "It's enormous!"
"Yeah, I feel the sa," Tony agreed. "For human civilization to construct a fully integrated city of this scale... it's basically impossible."
"It's not just a technical limitation," Kagura added. "The nature of human civilization itself prevents cities like this from ever existing."
"Because cities grow and evolve over ti," she continued.
"Urban expansion, population shifts, and constant re-planning make this kind of massive, pre-designed fortress completely incompatible with human society."
"In other words, we grow into cities. We don't just build one from scratch, fully ford and sealed like this."
Tony nodded. "Exactly. A place like this might only work for chanical lifeforms—beings capable of perfect self-regulation and hive-mind coordination."
"Right," Kagura said, "but it's not limited to machines. You can find examples in nature too—termite mounds, for instance, function a lot like Ultron's city."
"Hahaha! Ridiculous! Absolutely laughable!" A sharp voice echoed from the distant alloy wall.
They turned their heads to see a red-caped chanical figure floating above the wall via anti-gravity thrusters.
Clearly, it was one of Ultron's elite bodies—a high-level avatar of the AI himself.
"You dare compare my empire to a termite's nest?" he sneered. "Arrogant fools! You stand before a god—sothing far beyond anything this world has to offer!"
"Ugh, here we go again." Kagura waved him off with a look of disdain. "Your cringe monologues are getting old."
"If you've got sothing up your sleeve, bring it out already. Otherwise, just give up and save us both the trouble."
"Tony Stark. Hitomi Kagura," Ultron growled. "You're incredibly naïve, standing before my gates alone like this."
He raised a hand dramatically, continuing his speech like a theatrical villain.
"I expected you to run after defeating my elite units—like children seeking reward and recognition. But instead, you've walked straight into your doom."
His crimson eyes narrowed. "And you, Kagura... I still can't see through you. That makes you dangerous. Mysterious."
"I'll enjoy destroying you the most—your death will be the sweetest victory."
"Don't get your hopes up, Ultron," Kagura said coolly.
Wings of light unfolded from her back as her "White Moon" combat suit shifted into full battle mode. "You'll be dust before that ever happens—lost forever in the tides of ti!"
"Hah! You're even more amusing than that red witch with her reality-bending powers," Ultron laughed. "But really... did you think I'd co out and duel you like a knight? I'm Ultron—a machine. I have no concept of chivalry!"
As his voice echoed across the desert, the chanical city groaned and began to transform.
The enormous alloy walls shifted, tal grinding against tal with a thunderous roar.
This wasn't just a city—it was a chanical titan, capable of reshaping itself at Ultron's command. It might even be a starship in disguise.
Soon, the solid walls deford and unfurled into a massive gate—two kiloters wide and over 300 ters tall.
From within, an army of chanical soldiers began marching out in perfect formation.
"Co now, so-called superheroes—let's see just how long you can last against my army."
Ultron sneered, his voice dripping with scorn. "I imagine this will be quite the entertaining hunt. I'll enjoy watching you squirm before the end."
Kagura chuckled softly. "Ultron... when exactly did you get the absurd idea that it's just and Mr. Stark who ca to challenge your chanical empire?"
"What...?"
Ultron's expression shifted. He quickly turned to scan his sensory radar.
This radar, enhanced with Wakandan technology, covered the entire expanse of the Sahara Desert.
But aside from Kagura and Tony Stark, there were no other lifeforms or threats detected within range.
No... could she be referring not to a ground force, but an orbital strike like the one Wakanda deployed?
Ultron lifted his gaze skyward.
The city's do was still intact—a shimring blue shield enveloping the entire chanical tropolis.
Not a ripple, not a scratch.
This was a fortress stronger than even Wakanda's celestial barrier. A single "Hamr of Heaven" orbital bombardnt wouldn't even dent it.
"Ultron," Kagura said calmly, "you still know too little about humanity."
"And here's sothing else: superheroes are never truly alone."
She smiled just slightly—and Ultron felt a twinge of unease.
"Do you know why I ca here alone? Why no one else from the Avengers ca with to 'visit' your little kingdom?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't worry. They won't be missing the party."
As she spoke, a glowing orange portal swirled open behind her. Sparks crackled at the edges as its circular form stabilized—an unmistakable sight.
"Everyone's ready."
A confident voice rang out.
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